Search

Background: Degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS) is associated with altered radiological spinopelvic parameters (SPP) which leads to poor patient-reported clinical outcomes. Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) is performed for DS however, its ability to adequately restore SPP is not well reported. The study was performed to determine the effect of TLIF on the SPP and its correlation to patient-reported functional outcomes. Materials and Methods: Prospective, consecutive recruitment of patients was performed, with single and double-level DS treated with TLIF between March 2019 to March 2020 with a 2-year follow-up. Functional outcomes were measured using the visual analog score (VAS) score, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score, and SF-36 questionnaire. SPPs (pelvic tilt [PT], pelvic inclination, sacral slope [SS], lumbar lordosis [LL], and PI-LL mismatch) were recorded. The correlation between SPP and functional outcomes was analyzed using Spearman’s correlation coefficient. Results: A total of 40 patients were included in the final analysis. Significant improvement in VAS score, ODI score, and SF-36 score was observed (P < 0.05 for all) at 2 years follow-up. No significant difference was noted in the PI, LL, and SS following surgery (P > 0.05). A significant change in mean PT from 15.76° to 19.53° was noted (P = 0.023). The mean PI-LL mismatch improved from 14.7° to 11.2° which was statistically significant (P < 0.05). However, no significant correlation between ODI score with PT (r = 0.156) and post-op PI-LL mismatch (r = 0.105) could be demonstrated. Conclusion: TLIF led to satisfactory improvement in the patient-reported outcomes, PT, and PI-LL mismatch. However, the improvement of the SPP did not correlate with improvements in the ODI score.

Brucellosis is the most common zoonosis globally, and it is endemic to the Indian subcontinent. It can mimic a number of febrile illnesses and inflammatory disease conditions. An 18-year-old boy presented with low back pain and a fever of three-month duration. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a unilateral sacroiliitis, which was being treated as an inflammatory spondyloarthropathy. Because of non-resolving symptoms, a biopsy was performed, which showed a granulomatous inflammation that was consistent with tuberculosis or brucellosis infection. A history of exposure to livestock and consumption of unpasteurized milk led to a clinical suspicion of brucellosis, which was confirmed on a positive serology. He was treated with antibiotics with improvement in symptoms and complete resolution of the sacroiliitis. A high index of suspicion must be maintained for brucellosis, especially in patients with a rural residence, exposure to livestock, and febrile illness with a clinically suspected unilateral sacroiliitis.

Context: IND IsoDyno isokinetic dynamometer is a newly designed dynamometer to measure the isokinetic strength of the knee joint. It is a cost-effective, clinically feasible, and easily available dynamometer which manifests its benefits over the preexisting one. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the validity of IND IsoDyno isokinetic dynamometer with respect to maximum peak angular torque. Settings and Design: Criterion-related validity (concurrent validity). Materials and Methods: We considered IND IsoDyno isokinetic dynamometer as an index test and TecnoBody IsoMove isokinetic dynamometer as our reference standard. In this study, we assessed the validity of the IND IsoDyno isokinetic dynamometer and compared the obtained maximum peak angular torque values of the prototype device. Five volunteers were tested at 60° per second on concentric mode for knee flexion and extension on both the IsoMove and a new isokinetic dynamometer IND IsoDyno. Data for values of maximum peak angular torque were recorded. Statistical Analysis Used: Interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and standard errors of measurement (SEM) were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 26. Bland and Altman's method of analysis was done. Results: ICC and SEM revealed a high level of reproducibility and precision in the device's maximum peak torque measurements. The 95% confidence interval (CI) interval falls between the limits of agreement on Bland and Altman's plot. Conclusions: Within the limitations of the study, IND IsoDyno isokinetic dynamometer provided a mechanically valid measure of maximum peak angular torque on multiple trials performed on various subjects.

Background: Osteoporosis is commonly encountered by postmenopausal women. There is an increased need for a low cost and efficient treatment alternative to address this population. Aims: To study the effects of integrated yoga on bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. Settings and Designs: Experimental pre-post study conducted in a community setting. Materials and Methods: 30 females in the age group of 45–62 years suffering from postmenopausal osteoporosis with a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) score of ≤−2.5 underwent a 6 months fully supervised yoga session. All the participants completed the study. Pretraining and posttraining BMD was calculated. Outcome measure: DEXA score at the lumbar spine. Statistical Analysis: The study was statistically analyzed using paired t-test to see the significance of pretraining and posttraining effects of a yoga session. Results: Improvement in T-score of DEXA scan of −2.55 ± 0.25 at posttraining as compared to a pretraining score of −2.69 ± 0.17. Conclusions: Integrated yoga is a safe mode of physical activity which includes weight bearing as well as not weight bearing asanas, Pranayama, and suryanamaskar, all of which helps induce improvement in BMD in postmenopausal osteoporotic females.

Background: In India, obesity is highly prevalent in women as compared to men. As the obesity epidemic spreads, there are growing concerns about efficient obesity management. Aims: To compare between circuit training (CT), treadmill (TM) walking and suryanamaskar (SN) training in weight management and physical fitness enhancement in obese females. Settings and Designs: Comparative controlled study conducted in a community setting. Materials and Methods: 119 females of age between 20 and 40 years of body mass index (BMI) between 25.1 and 34.9 kg/m 2 . 87 participants completed the study. Group 1: CT; group 2: TM walking; group 3: Modified SN; group 4: Control. Outcome Measures: Body composition, cardio-respiratory and muscle endurance, flexibility. Statistical Analysis : Within-group data was analyzed with the paired t-test. P =0.05. Analysis between the groups was done using one way ANOVA test. Analysis between the groups was done using ANCOVA test controlling for baseline differences only for those variables that have significant differences at baseline. For those which do not have significant difference at baseline, RMANOVA was done at end of 8 weeks. Results: Reducation in mean body weight in CT group (2.2%), TM (1.7%) and SN (1.6%), (P < 0.05), BMI in all the three groups (P < 0.01), total body fat % in the CT (5%) and SN (3.7%), (P < 0.01), metabolic age with CT (2%) and TM (2%), (P = 0.001). Improvement in muscle mass in CT (4%, P = 0.009), VO 2max in CT group by 17.2%, SN (14%), TM group (8%) (P < 0.05). Upper limb Muscle endurance in CT (51.3%), SN group (51.24%) and in TM group (40%), (P = 0.05), in lower limb TM (21.2%) and SN (24.5%) (P = 0.05), flexibility in SN (12.4%, P = 0.0001). Conclusions: All three methods were effective in weight and physical fitness management. CT and SN were more effective in improving cardio-respiratory fitness and upper limb muscle endurance while only SN was effective in improving body flexibility.